Drum agitator



Jall- 9 C. E. FARRINGTON 2,143,511

DRUM AG I TAT OR Filed Aug.- 22, 1936 Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATET ()FFIE 16 Claims.

This invention relates generally to agitatorequipped drums or barrels employed in the transportation, storage and use of paints, lacquers and other pigmented liquids, and more particularly to improvements in the-construction of the agitator per se and of the means for installing and maintaining the agitator operatively in position within the drum or barrel.

In my prior United States Letters Patent No. 2,022,711, granted December 3, 1935, I disclosed a means for rigidly maintaining the agitator in position within the bunghole of the drum during shipment and storage thereof, which means included a pin extending transversely of the bunghole cap and through an aperture provided in the upper extremity of the agitator. Due to the fact that this pin was carried by the bunghole cap and in turn supported the agitator in suspended position within the drum, rotation of the cap into threaded engagement with the bunghole necessarily resulted in corresponding rotation of the agitator within the drum. Thus, in order to tighten the bunghole cap in sealed condition, the agitator was 'forced to rotate through the mass of the paint contained in the drum, and

when this paint was of heavy consistency considerable effort was required to thread the bunghole cap into fully tightened position, this being due to the drag of the agitator as it was forced through the paint mass. Moreover, because of the fact that the retaining pin for the agitator was necessarily removable from the bunghole cap and the agitator (in order to permit the agitator to be engaged by the agitator handle), the pins were susceptible of being lost or misplaced with the result that when the handle was disengaged from the agitator no means was readily available to prevent the agitator dropping so far downwardly into the drum that its subsequent recovery was made difiicult.

Still another diificulty sometimes encountered due to the use of the pin-supported agitator was that when the drLun was rolled upon the floor in other than the proper direction the agitator would tend to remain stationary due totthe action of gravity and the weight of the paint upon the eccentric portion thereof, in consequence of which the bunghole cap would be restrained against rotation with the drum, thus resulting in unthreading of the cap from its bunghole fitting. .To obviate this possibility it wasnecessary to very securely tighten the bunghole cap in closed position so that when the drumwas rolled upon "the floor the 'cap and the agitator nonrotatably secured thereto rotated with the drum It is among the principal objects of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned difficulties by the provision of. means formed as an inseparable part of the bunghole capfor retaining the agitator in position during shipment and storage without restraining the agitator from free rotation relatively to the cap, in consequence of which rolling of the drum upon the floor as aforesaid in either direction does not result in unthreading of the bunghole cap from its seat.

Still another object is to provide means for retaining the agitator in position of such character that the bunghole cap is free-swiveling and so may be tightened into sealed condition simply by rotating the cap into threaded engagement with the bunghole without any corresponding rotation of the agitator. Thus, the bunghole cap is capable of being fully tightened by the use of any simple tool and with a minimum of eiiort in the same manner as the conventional cap, exactly as though the drum were not equipped with an agitator.

of the agitator but also to automatically lock the.

latter against unintentional removal or displacement from the drum during use thereof. Through the use of this automatic bottom lock for the agitator, the necessity for employing a threaded pivot bolt and associated lock nut for securing the bottom end of the agitator in position is entirely dispensed with, as is the necessity for using special tools to engage and disengage the nut upon and from the pivot bolt, while at the same time the facility with which the agitator may be installed within and removed from the drum is very greatly increased.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that said invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawing and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the said accompanying drawing, which is merely illustrative of a preferred practical embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a drum equipped with an agitator in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the bunghole cap and part of the agitator in the course of being assembled prior to installation within the drum;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are views showing the agitator operatively associated with the bunghole cap prior to actual installation within the drum;

Figures 6 and '7 are views showing the construction and operating characteristics of the automatic bottom-locking device for the agitator;

Figures 8 and 9 are views similar, respectively, to Figures 6 and 7 showing a modified form of the bottom-locking device; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view of a part of the drum showing the chime scraper attachment to the agitator.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figures 1 to 5 thereof, it will be observed that the drum I0 is of the same type as that shown in my prior Patent No. 2,022,711 aforesaid, the upper head of which is provided with an interiorly threaded bunghole fitting H through which is inserted the agitator 12. The bunghole fitting II is adapted to threadedly receive a threaded closure cap I3 for sealing the contents of the drum during shipment and storage thereof. Formed as a normally inseparable part of the bunghole cap is a depending headed stud I l the axis of which is coincident with the central axis of the cap. The head [5 of this stud is preferably disposed substantially in the plane of the bottom edge of the threaded flange [6 of the cap and is of a diameter sufficiently larger than that of the stud per se as to provide a radially projecting shelf-like flange IT.

The blade of the agitator I2 is provided in its upper extremity with an aperture I8 of the shape most clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper edge IQ of this aperture extending transversely of the vertical axis of rotation of the blade and being substantially straight or flat. The aperture I8 is of a width sufficiently great that when the agitator blade and bunghole cap are assembled in the relation shown in Figures 4 and 5, the agitator is freely suspended upon the flange I! of the stud l5. At the same time, the width of the agitator blade is such with relation to the internal diameter of the threaded flange l6 of the bunghole cap, that when the parts are assembled as shown in Figures 4 and 5, permissible movement of the blade radially or laterally of the stud is so limited that disengagement of the blade from the stud is effectually precluded. In other words, the width of the agitator blade is such that when it is disposed as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the opposite edges 2G20 thereof just clear the internal wall of the threaded flange N5 of the bunghole cap, the clearance being sufficient to permit free rotation of the cap relatively to the agitator blade without, however, permitting disengagement of the blade from its supporting flange I! so long as the blade is maintained in a position paralleling the vertical axis of the bunghole cap.

In order to effect this desired assembly of the bunghole cap l3 and the agitator l2, the latter is inclined with respect to the cap, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, so that its apertured upper extremity may be freely received within the Well of the cap to one side of the headed stud I4, following which the agitator is swung into a position paralleling the axis of said stud so as to present the supporting flange ll of the stud into the aperture I8 of the blade. The latter is then supported by said flange I I. To disengage the blade from the cap, the above operation is reversed, i. e., the blade is tilted relatively to the cap (see Figure 2) preliminarily to removing it therefrom.

The agitator blade I2 is inserted into the drum H] by way of the bunghole l I, the latter being of a diameter sufiiciently large for this purpose. The cap l3 may be attached to the blade preliminarily to the insertion of the latter into the drum, or the blade may initially be inserted in the drum and the apertured upper end withdrawn sufiiciently to permit the engagement of the cap therewith. Thereupon, the cap [3 is freely threaded into the bunghole fitting H to seal the drum, during which operation the cap and its blade-supporting stud l4 rotate freely with respect to the agitator l2.

As most clearly appears in Figure 1, the agitator I2 is in the form of a suitably twisted and bent flat bar having a lower portion 21 extending radially of the drum axis. This radially extending portion is disposed vertically edgewise and is provided at its free inner extremity with a lug 22 of reduced vertical dimension. Loosely fitted upon this lug 22 is a bottom anchor member 23 for the agitator of angular cross-section, the opposite branches of which are respectively apertured, as at 24 and 25. The aforesaid lug 22 projects through the aperture 24, while the aperture 25 more or less snugly fits over a pivot stud or post 26 secured to the bottom wall of the drum in axial alinement with the central axis of the bunghole opening I I. In the arrangement shown in Figures 6 and '7, the lug 22, which projects through the aperture 24 of the agitator anchoring member 23, is upset, as at 27, to prevent displacement of the member 23 from the agitator blade, while in the arrangement shown in Figures 8 and 9 the same result is obtained by means of a pin 28 projected transversely through the lug. In both arrangements, the aperture 24 is in the form of a slot slightly wider than the thickness and substantially longer than the depth of the lug 22, in consequence of which the anchoring member 23 is loosely supported by the lug 22 and tends to tilt normally into the position shown in Figures 7 and 9.

When the agitator is operatively mounted within the drum, the bottom anchoring member 23 thereof is fitted over the vertical stud or post 26 (see Figure 6). Should it be attempted to lift the agitator blade vertically out of the drum, the member 23 automatically assumes the canted position shown in Figure 7 (or Figure 9) in which position the lower branch thereof binds upon the pivot bolt 26 to prevent further upward movement of the agitator. Consequently, when the anchoring member 23 is slipped over the bottom centering bolt 26, it becomes impossible to remove the agitator from the drum except through the expedient of inverting the latter top for bottom, in which case the member 23 readily slips 01f of the bolt 26 to thereby permit ready removal of the agitator from the drum. During normal use, however, of the agitator-equipped drum, the agitator is thus automatically restrained against displacement from the vertical,

bolt 26, which latter serves as the bottom :pivot or bearing for the agitator during rotation thereof by means of an operating handle of the same type and operating characteristics as that shown and described in my prior PatentNo. 2,022,771, aforesaid.

If desired, the bottom centering post 26 may begrooved at vertically spaced intervals, as at 29, to provide for a more secure purchase of the anchoring member 23 when the agitator is lifted vertically. While one or more of these grooves may be provided, if desired, they are not essential because the requisite binding action of the anchoring member upon the post may be obtained even when the surface of the latter is smooth, that is, not grooved, as shown in Figures the post.

With respect now to the agitator proper, it will be observed that the eccentrically arranged approximately vertical portion 30 thereof, which is so bent that it lies in a plane extending radially of the drum, is provided witha chime cleaning attachment 3i in the form of a short bar loosely secured, as at 32, to said portion 3!! of the agitator blade. The chime cleaning bar 3! is preferably so twisted that the upper and lower halves thereof are angularly relatedto the extent of approximately 45 degrees. Inasmuch asthe agitator is normally rotated in clockwise direction, the leading edge of the chime cleaning bar is that designated by the numeral 32a, the lower portion of which gradually tapers away from the plane of the portion 3a of the agitator.

Due to the provision of the elongated slot 33 in theupper end of the bar 3i through which the pivot pin 34 projects, the bar 3i is capable of a limited movement relatively to the agitator proper, thus accommodating the chime cleaningbar to drums which may vary somewhat in internal diameter and in length between the upper and lower heads thereof.

As the agitator I2 is rotated by its handle (not shown herein, but see my prior Patent No. 2,022,711), centrifugal force exerted'upon the chime cleaning bar 3! causes it to swing outwardly of the agitator proper and toward the wall of the drum with the result that it scrapes and lifts all solid matter adhering to the wall and in the chime of the drum and forces it into the center of the drum where it is agitated and mixed with the principal mass of the material to be agitated. The member 3! thus acts to out and. lift out of the chime any matter which may have settled solidly therein and which normally would not be reached by the agitator blade 12. While the auxiliary chime cleaning bar 3| is shown twisted, it may be substantially flat throughout itslength without reducing its effectiveness to clean the chime of the drum of any settled material, the centrifugal force induced upon rotation of the action being sufficient to cause the bar 3! to swing outwardly of the cylindrical surface generated by rotation of the portion 3d of the agitator.

It will be understood, of course, that the invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications from time to time without departing from the real spirit and general principles thereof and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as, new and useful is:-

1. In combination, a container having abunghole in its head, a removable closure fittingfor said bunghole, a stirring blade disposed interiorly of the container with the upper end thereof projecting into said bunghole'and loosely connected to saidfitting, and coacting means in said closure 1 fitting and blade operative to suspend the blade from said fitting and permitfree rotation of the closure fitting relatively to the blade while supporting the latter against vertical displacement with respect to said fitting.

2. In combination, a container having a bunghole in its head, acap adapted to be threaded into said bunghole to close the same, an agitator blade disposed interiorly of the container with its upper endadapted to be loosely supported by said cap, and means interconnecting said cap and blade to retain the latter in suspended position when the bunghole is closed, said means being operative to permit free rotation of the cap relatively to the blade.

3. In combination, a container having a bunghole in its head, a removable closure fitting for said bunghole, a stirring blade disposed interiorly of the container with the upper end thereof pro- 1 jecting upwardly into said bunghole, said upper end of the blade being apertured, and means depending centrally of the closure fitting and having a lateral extension projecting through the apertured end of said blade to support the latter upon said closure fitting.

4. In combination, a container having a bunghole in its head, a removable closure fitting for said bunghole in the form of a cap having an axially depending stud surrounded by an annular flange, an agitator blade disposed interiorly of the container with its upper end projecting into the flanged recess of the cap, the said upper end of the blade being apertured, and means on said stud projecting laterally through the blade aperture to support the blade against vertical displacement relatively to the cap.

5. In combination, a container having a bunghole in its head, a removable closure fitting for said bunghole in the form of a cap having an axially depending stud surrounded by an annular flange, an agitator blade disposed interiorly of the container with its upper end projecting into the flanged recess of the cap, the said upper end of the blade being apertured, and means on said stud projecting laterally through the blade aperture to support the blade against vertical displacement relatively to the cap while permitting rotation of the cap relatively to the blade.

6. In combination, a container having a bunghole in its head, a removable closure fitting for I said bunghole in the form of a cap having an axially depending stud surrounded by an annular flange, an agitator blade disposed interiorly of the container with its upper end projecting into the.

flanged recess of the cap, the said upper end of the blade being apertured, and means on said stud projecting laterally through the blade aperture to support the blade against vertical displacement relatively to the cap, the internal diameter of the cap flange and the width of the upper end of the agitator blade being relatively such that so long as the apertured end of the blade is maintained in parallel relation to the axis of the cap its disengagement from the latter is effectually precluded.

'7. In combination, a container having an internally threaded bunghole in its head, an ex-- ternally threaded cap adapted to be threaded into said bunghole, said cap being provided with a downwardly presenting recess, a headed stud carried by said cap and disposed centrally within said recess, an agitator blade adapted for disposition interiorly of the container and having an apertured upper end adapted for projection upwardly into the recess of said cap to one side of said stud whereby the head of the latter may project laterally into the aperture of the agitator blade to loosely connect it to said cap.

8. In a combination as defined in claim '7 wherein the agitator blade is as operatively connected to the cap when the latter is removed from the bunghole as when it is completely threaded therein.

9. In combination, an agitator-equipped container having a bunghole in its head, a removable closure for said bunghole, and means formed as an inseparable part of said closure to support the upper end of the agitator within the bunghole when the latter is closed and to effect lifting of the agitator upwardly through the bunghole upon removal of the closure therefrom, said means being further operative to permit the closure to be rotated into and out of the bunghole without any corresponding rotation of the agitator.

10. An agitator-equipped drum comprising, in combination, an agitator blade adapted for disposition interiorly of the drum and having a radially extending bottom member, a vertically disposed post secured tothe bottom head of the drum, and an anchoring member loosely connected to the bottom member of the agitator blade and embracing said post and operative to bind upon the latter upon the application of a vertical lifting force to said agitator blade.

11. An agitator-equipped drum comprising, in combination, an agitator blade revoluble about the axis of the drum and having a portion intermediate its ends eccentric with respect to said axis, means for journalling the opposite extremities of the blade respectively in the upper and lower heads of the drum, the lower journal being in the form of a pivot post fixed in position coaxially with the drum axis and extending only a short distance above the lower head of the drum, and means loosely carried by the blade for reception by said post to automatically lock the agitator to the post when it is subject to a vertically directed upward pull.

12. In combination, a container having a centrally disposed bunghole in the upper head thereof and a vertically extending pivot stud fixed in and extending only a short distance above the lower head, said bunghole and stud being coaxially alined, a stirrer bar disposed interiorly of the container with the opposite ends thereof respectively journalled in said bunghole and upon said stud, the lower end of said stirrer bar having loosely connected thereto a member for engaging said stud which is operative automatically to lock thereon when the stirrer bar is subjected to a vertically directed upward pull.

13. In combination, a container having a centrally disposed bunghole in the upper head thereof and a vertically extending pivot post fixed in and extending only a short distance above the lower head, said bunghole and post being coaxially alined, a stirrer bar disposed interiorly of the container with its upper end projecting upwardly into said bunghole, and an apertured member loosely connected to the lower end of said bar adapted to receive the post through the aperture thereof, said member being tiltable into a position such that the plane of its aperture inclines with respect to the post to bind the member upon the latter when the bar is lifted vertically through said bunghole.

14. An agitator for containers and the like comprising a rotative blade having a lower radial portion adapted to be located approximately adjacent the bottom of the container, and upper, portion adapted to project through the bunghole in the head of the container and an intermediate eccentrically arranged portion adapted to generate cylindrical surface of a diameter somewhat less than the internal diameter of the container, and an auxiliary blade suspended from said intermediate portion and extending into the chime of the container and adapted to swing outwardly of said generated cylindrical surface by centrifugal action, said auxiliary blade being twisted so that the lower portion thereof is disposed angularly with respect to the plane of the intermediate portion of the main agitator blade.

15. In an agitator of the character defined in claim 14 wherein said auxiliary blade is selfadjusting with respect to the main agitator blade to accommodate it to varying conditions in the chime of the container and is arranged to present a surface thereof broadside to the material to be agitated.

16. In combination, a container having a centrally disposed bunghole in the upper head thereof and a vertically extending pivot post in the lower head, said bunghole and post being coaxially alined, an agitator blade disposed interiorly of the container with the upper end thereof journalled in said bunghole, and means for detachably interconnecting said pivot post and the lower end of the agitator blade, said means consisting of a member, one end of which is loosely connected to the lower end of the agitator blade, the other end being loosely fitted upon the pivot post, whereby when the agitator blade is subjected to an upwardly directed lifting force said last-mentioned member is angularly canted with respect to and automatically locks on the pivot post preventing the removal of the agitator blade when the container is in normal upright position.

CHARLES E. FARRINGTON. 

